So here we are in Robinson Crusoe mode 😊☀️! Really nice and insightful discovery.
"Si partir vivre ses rêves remplit l'âme, les partager après les avoir réalisés la grandit"
"Qui veut apprendre à se connaître commence par explorer le monde"
We’re the last group to disembark today. To keep things fair, the disembarkation order changes every day.
Curieuse is called the "red island" because of its red earth and 750-million-year-old granite. But it was the French East India Company schooner *La Curieuse*, sent to the Seychelles in 1768 to assert French sovereignty and commanded by explorer Marion du Fresne, that gave the island its current name.
It was during this expedition that the strange coco de mer was discovered on Praslin and Curieuse. Curieuse is the only other place, besides Praslin, where the coco de mer palm grows naturally. The guide reminds us that coconut trees kill more people every year than sharks do.
In 1829, the Seychellois government acquired the island to establish a leper colony. The Doctor Mac Gregor House, which treated lepers during the colonial era, has been turned into a museum.
Starting in the 1970s, the island was transformed into a nature reserve. It became famous for its giant tortoise protection program, where the tortoises roam freely in a secure environment. Curieuse is also a marine protected area. To avoid damaging the seabed, the ship will stay in dynamic positioning all day without dropping anchor.
Not all passengers are early risers. Since we show up a bit early and there are missing people to fill the Zodiac, we disembark well ahead of schedule—which is great for us.
We land on a deserted, paradise-like beach.
We have to weave through these large rocks planted in the sand...
Wednesday, January 28, Curieuse Island (continued)
We’re at the edge of the mangrove. Old dead trees lie on the sand, lining the beach.
Just a few meters away, in the undergrowth, a turtle goes about its business.
Our plan is to settle under the soothing shade of a tree that stretches its branches out for us to hang our things. There’s no one around—it’s paradise on earth.
The environment is stunning, and being alone makes it even more magical. Through the crystal-clear water, you can see shells moving, leaving trails in the sand.
The beach slopes gently into the sea, skirting a small rock jetty covered in grasses that sway gently with the movement of the water. Swarms of tiny fish emerge from the grasses as soon as you stop and come closer, as if they’re curious. I even spot a school of brightly colored little squid. Too bad I don’t have anything to photograph them with.
The most common are little fish with dark blue and white stripes. They’re super curious and come right up as soon as you stay still. Others are light gray with a neon yellow tail. I count at least ten different species I can observe that morning in this exquisite-temperature sea, surrounded by this enchanting landscape.
Passengers have the option to go snorkeling at the other end of the beach, but for me, who doesn’t do that, it’s a delight just watching all these little fish, and I spend a long time doing so.
Morning slips away too quickly. We take a short walk along the beach before heading back to the Zodiac that will take us to the boat—the last return of the morning at 11:30.
Time flew by so fast that we completely forgot to visit the doctor’s museum house.
Hello!
Thanks for sharing these heavenly spots without the crowds of the beautiful beaches!
Norvégian Gém NCL, Horizon CDF, musica MSC, Allure of the seas RCI, sérénade of the seas RCI, Symphony of the seas RCI, Régal PRINCESS, Fantasia MSC, seaside MSC, explorer of the seas RCI
Your trip reports are always amazing, interesting, and a pleasure to read. Here are the Seychelles I’ve been waiting for and know well—those beautiful beaches, granite rocks, and fine sand.
That’s why we’ve always been told that Mahé isn’t *the* Seychelles. Thanks again for the lovely photos! !
Wednesday, January 28, Curieuse Island (continued)
Lunch outdoors on the terrace is simple but delicious. Cod fritters with rougail sauce—not too spicy but tasty. A beef and vegetable pasta wok, served Asian-style for us. And way too many other options to list. No need to worry, the dishes are all-you-can-eat at both lunch and dinner, just like on other cruise lines.
This afternoon, we’re offered a guided walk through the mangrove to the viewpoint overlooking Labraie Bay.
Our guides’ tropical explorer outfits are on point—each one puts their own spin on them.
The tide’s out, which makes crossing the mangrove a bit of a shame. I had no idea there were 70 different species of trees or shrubs in the world’s mangroves.
This little shy crab scurries off to hide.
A delicate hibiscus flower tucked among the foliage awaits us.
Behind this curtain of trees lies the beach where we were this morning.
It’s more visible at low tide. The small wall on the right is what remains of an early 20th-century turtle farm. Hawksbill turtles weren’t fit for consumption—they were raised for their shells, which were used to make various art objects, fashionable at the time.
Thursday 29, Aride Island (morning) and Curieuse Island (afternoon)
The weather is a bit cloudy this morning. During yesterday’s briefing for the stopover, we were warned that disembarking the zodiac on this beach is usually quite rough. A video showed us big waves crashing over the zodiac. We know what to expect.
So we get ready for a trip that’s as watertight as possible. Aride is also a nature reserve, so we have to carefully prepare and clean our bags and shoes before going ashore. No outside pollution is allowed. Rangers from the island check our bags and the cleanliness of our shoe soles before we board the zodiac.
The sea is calm, with no swell, and our experienced driver knows how to avoid the seawater shower.
The welcome on the beach is very well organized—benches and small towels are available to clean our feet. Yes, because like every time, it’s a "wet landing," which means stepping into the waves on the beach. We also have lockers to leave our things.
A female ranger who lives on the island guides us during the visit. Twelve people live here permanently to maintain the site, monitor, and count the birds.
Aride is a nature reserve—one of the most important seabird colonies in the Indian Ocean, with half a million birds breeding here each year. The island is also home to rare endemic plants and reptiles. Visits are strictly regulated to keep Aride a preserved sanctuary.
The poison tree produces distinctive fruits and very pretty flowers. The bark and fruits, when crushed, are used as poison for fishing—they stun or kill fish by asphyxiation while keeping their flesh intact. All parts of the tree are toxic.
This lizard, often quite plump, is the Seychelles’ scavenger. It cleans up everything left behind, and we’re grateful it helps limit the number of mosquitoes.
The walk continues. These outings, called hikes, are only one or two kilometers long, but stops are very frequent because there’s so much to see and so many explanations to listen to.
Thursday 29, Aride Island (morning) and Curieuse (afternoon) (continued)
The Tropicbirds nest in cavities at the base of trees, directly on the ground because this island has also been completely rat-free. I’ll say it again—they’re so beautiful to see and surprising like this, lying on the ground.
Who’s hiding between the roots of this tree? A very young Tropicbird chick.
Here’s another chick, a little older.
As in Rémire, we see lots of white terns with their pretty blue-based beaks. We’re here at the time when they’re most numerous. They lay a single egg in the fork of a branch without building a nest. The egg is flexible when laid to adapt to the shape of the cavity where it’s placed. The chick has strong claws that keep it from falling off its branch. The white tern can travel 200 km offshore from its resting area to feed.
The island is covered in guano, which hardens like stone when it dries. For a long time, it was harvested and sent to France to be used and distributed in Europe as fertilizer—it’s one of the best on earth.
I love the tropical explorer’s protective gear against external aggressions, especially the shoes… 😉 When they ask us to wear closed shoes that no one actually wears. 😏
Thursday 29, Aride Island (morning) and Curieuse (afternoon) (continued)
The walk continues through the forest, passing by a turtle conservation center until we visit a tiny, completely uninteresting shop.
The return trip by zodiac goes just as smoothly as the way there, and we once again avoid getting soaked by the sea.
Lunch on the terrace—today we’re enjoying delicious grilled prawn skewers.
The boat sets off for Curieuse. Anse St José, where we’re headed, is on the other side of the island, opposite from where we were yesterday morning.
The weather has clouded over; it’s a little less hot, but most of all, the colors aren’t as vibrant.
Despite that, the beach is still very pleasant. The dead trees lying on the sand create a unique setting I really like.
The water is absolutely delightful. I’ve never swum in the sea so much in my life. And reading, lying on the sand after a long swim and some chats in the water, is a truly relaxing and blissful moment.
The sky is getting heavier and heavier, so we head back to the boat around 4 PM.
Our table of six has invited a naturalist to join us for dinner tonight.
The show—the only one that will take place in the theater—is called "New York." I find it particularly ill-timed for a French company, given the current context after the tariff episodes, Greenland, etc.
Gorgeous beaches, warm water, lush vegetation, birds, and turtles—along with a deep respect for nature and the environment—really live up to the Seychelles we all imagine.
Thanks for sharing! 😊
"Si partir vivre ses rêves remplit l'âme, les partager après les avoir réalisés la grandit"
"Qui veut apprendre à se connaître commence par explorer le monde"
I’m still following your trip report. That forest walk was amazing—nothing to say but great!
And the beach, still so lovely. Not crowded at all, we’re far from the crowds. These are the Seychelles beaches—always stunning. Honestly, such beautiful beaches, no complaints at all.
I caught up on my backlog (since I wasn’t notified by VF about new messages) and rediscovered Curieuse... in a much more in-depth way than we did before (I should mention we had several snorkeling stops nearby during that outing).
The other islands also seemed really interesting to visit.
Thanks for sharing—it lets me relive some great moments and discover new things too! 😉.
Si tu diffères de moi, mon frère, loin de me léser, tu m'enrichis (Saint Exupéry)
I imagine there are many ways to explore each island. They’re so different from one side to the other depending on their exposure. And for those who snorkel, it’s a whole other experience.
I haven’t been receiving notifications for new messages for several months either. I reported it, but nothing’s changed, and I never got a response.
The end of the cruise is fast approaching, and I still haven’t received an answer to the administrative issue I raised at the beginning of the cruise regarding my loyalty program status. I’ve been worrying about it every day, and today it’s starting to seriously annoy me. I warn the reception desk that I’m about to get angry. The young woman listens very politely and tells me: "I understand, but it’s not me who handles this." I explain that I won’t let it go and that I expect an answer by the end of the day—otherwise, I’ll go see the captain. The expected answer can only go one way, so why the delay?
Grande Sœur remained uninhabited for a long time. It was occasionally used for fishing and copra production but never had a permanent population.
Today, Grande Sœur belongs to the man who makes the small chocolate cookies that were featured in the ad: "Couldn’t you make them just a little longer?"
The property is very well maintained and seriously guarded.
Ponant privatized it for us for the whole day, and the dangerous dogs were locked up.
The two sides of the island are very different: one beach on the east is for swimming, and the other is for diving. We land on the west side for diving.
To reach the swimming beach, which is among the most beautiful in the Seychelles, we have to cross a palm grove where the grass is neatly mowed. We’ll come across the robotic lawnmowers a little later...
The beach is very typical of the Seychelles with its large granite rocks rising on either side.
The waves are stunning—they approach like great blue walls, rising before crashing into big foam rollers on the sand.
The swimming area is closely monitored, with a Zodiac offshore and several activity leaders on the beach. Ponant is always very vigilant and never compromises on safety. The waves are strong, and the lifeguards come to the rescue of several people who get rolled by the waves. The current also tends to pull you out to sea.
This morning, it’s a bit overcast, so the colors aren’t as vibrant, but it’s still really beautiful.
On our way back to the rocky beach for snorkeling—a much more sheltered spot—we meet the local "lawnmowers."
Along the rocky beach, there isn’t much to discover. No seaweed in the water, no small fish—you need to be equipped and swim farther out to observe marine life. Only a few small crabs scurry away as we approach.
As we were about to board the Zodiac to return to the ship for lunch, a large, flat, vertical fish was swimming along the edge of the beach, right at the water’s edge in very shallow water.
It was funny because to get over the flat rocks where there were only a few centimeters of water and reach deeper water, it would lie on its side and swim flat.
The return trip on the Zodiac across a glassy sea was effortless.
Lunch included, among other things, a lovely Asian specialties buffet.
Not to mention the desserts, which were always very, *too* good.
Renting a private island—so classy!
And the beach—wahoo!
As someone who loves beaches without too many people, it’s a dream, too bad it’s so far away...
During a snorkeling excursion from La Digue, we stopped near one of the beaches on Grande Soeur. The guide told us it was private and could be rented out... but didn’t mention it belonged to Mr. Ca....ry ;) 😏
Si tu diffères de moi, mon frère, loin de me léser, tu m'enrichis (Saint Exupéry)
Thanks, Guylène, Catherine, and Muriel, for joining in. 😉
Friday, January 30, Grande Sœur (continued)
During this midday break, the sun came back, and since I’m curious to see the sea’s colors lit up by this beautiful sunshine, we head back to the beach in the early afternoon, even though it’s really hot.
I couldn’t resist this swing…
The little turtle helpers contribute to maintaining the green spaces.
The sun transforms the park.
At the park’s exit, at the end of the little path, when the beach comes into view, the scene is almost surreal—this deep navy blue on the horizon…
The waves keep rolling in, but the sea’s color has completely changed. It’s incredible, almost unreal, to the point of seeming artificial—like an entire palette of blues was poured into the water, their shades so intense.
We’re lucky—the sun has shifted, and a big tree gives us a shady spot on the sand. How lucky we are to be here—it’s stunning!
As we return to the ship, the mountainous silhouettes in the distance provide a beautiful backlit scene.
On board, the young woman at reception calls out to me with a big smile—the issue with my status is resolved! Marseille finally found the documents confirming my status. It took six days and numerous follow-up emails, but my new card is printed at last.
Later in the afternoon, a surprise is being prepared for the early evening.
The ship’s marina is extended in its high position above the sea. At the top, a colorful buffet is being set up.
Another appetizer buffet is also being arranged on the terrace by the pool.
At the appointed time, we’re invited to the marina to enjoy a *ti punch* or another drink. It’s magical to be suspended above this beautiful, warm, calm sea.
It’s a timeless, magical moment in a paradise setting, after a wonderful day—a surprise just like Ponant does best.
When the party ends, the marina is folded back up.
The ship gently sets sail again—we’re not going far. Tomorrow, we’ll be in Praslin.
It’s still quite warm, but our table of six unanimously decides to dine outside on the upper terrace.
I’m glad to hear your status issue is finally resolved. You did the right thing by not giving up and following up with them regularly.
Otherwise, there’s nothing to say— the beaches are still just as beautiful and stunning. It’s the Seychelles, after all! It brings back so many memories.
The park is gorgeous; we felt like we were in Rangiroa.
Seriously, there’s nothing to complain about— it’s absolutely stunning.
The evening buffet was super nice, set up at a higher level. So impressive!
The stars aligned with the Seychelles looking like a postcard and your admin issue sorted out 🎉🥂
"Si partir vivre ses rêves remplit l'âme, les partager après les avoir réalisés la grandit"
"Qui veut apprendre à se connaître commence par explorer le monde"
The issue with my card (or so they told me ) was that they hadn’t linked this cruise to my account—total nonsense, and I don’t buy it for a second since I was already at this loyalty level during my last cruise 😛. That still represents a 10% discount on cruise fares, 25% off in the ship’s boutique, plus an onboard credit of 150 € per person and other little perks. Enough to not let it slide.
The evening on the marina was a lovely surprise—I really enjoyed it because it was unexpected and unique.
Everything is truly beautiful, magnificent, and perfect—what more could you ask for? Just hoping it lasts a little longer! 😉 It’s not in the plans for us, but there are some lucky folks who continue the cruise all the way to Zanzibar, stopping by Aldabra.
Back to civilization after all these days in natural reserves far from the world. Today’s disembarkation is dry-footed since we reach Sainte Anne Bay in Praslin by longboats from our anchorage.
The tropical forest of Vallée de Mai is a must-see. It covers 19 hectares, and we visit it with small buses waiting for us on the quay. We quickly arrive at the park entrance, which welcomes tourists.
The visit is interesting and pleasant, even though we’ve already done it a few years ago. The palm trees are immense, and their fronds are gigantic.
We learn a lot about palm trees, sea coconuts, the trees, and the resources the forest offers. Sea coconuts take 6 to 7 months to reach maturity.
The leaves of a tree—whose name I’ve forgotten—smell like four spices: clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pepper.
Another, the Takamaka, produces hard and solid wood, and its sap provides glue. We receive a lot of other information that, unfortunately, I don’t always remember. Our young guide is very friendly and passionate about her island.
After this visit, the bus takes us across Praslin. The beaches are beautiful, most often hidden behind buildings and luxury hotels, but the environment and road conditions aren’t any better than on Mahé.
We’re dropped off at Anse Lazio beach for 1.5 hours of free time and swimming.
It’s a beautiful and very large beach, lined with trees that offer some shade. Swimming is easy here without the big waves we had on Grande Sœur Island.
The souvenir shop near the beach has astronomical prices. The small "turtle" soaps I paid 40 rupees for at Victoria Market are priced at 125 rupees each here (7.50 €).
Despite the late hour of our return to the ship and the heat, we have lunch on the terrace. The semi-raw tuna on today’s menu is excellent.
The ship remains anchored in front of Praslin all day. Unusually, we don’t feel like going back ashore this afternoon. What we saw this morning through the bus windows reminded us so much of Victoria that it took away our desire to stroll around town.
We prefer to quietly enjoy the ship—the cruise is already coming to an end...
We made the right choice; the people who went ashore quickly returned disappointed... Everything is closed on Saturdays.
In the afternoon, we attend a very interesting and detailed lecture on corals. I didn’t know that cold-water corals exist at depths of 2,000 meters all over the world—they don’t only inhabit warm seas. Four thousand species of fish depend on corals to survive and reproduce. Only eleven of us attended this lecture.
The Farewell Gala dinner is already tonight... The days have flown by so quickly.
Hi Catherine,
The cruise is going to end better than it started, and personally, I would’ve been tempted by the swing too.
Thanks for sharing and for these beautiful discoveries of places I wouldn’t be able to see.
Have a great rest of your day! Guylène
Hi Guylène,
I had a feeling I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t resist a swing set against such a gorgeous view. 😉
The cruise isn’t quite over yet, even if that end-of-trip feeling has started to creep in. We’ve still got a stop at La Digue on disembarkation day, plus a full day in Doha after that. 😎
Another beautiful stop to wrap up this "exotic" cruise.
"Si partir vivre ses rêves remplit l'âme, les partager après les avoir réalisés la grandit"
"Qui veut apprendre à se connaître commence par explorer le monde"
About the card, I get why you insisted—it really does come with some pretty great perks. I didn’t realize Ponant was so generous. You were right to push for it!
As for Praslin, Anse Lazio is one of my favorite beaches in the Seychelles. In fact, the third photo is the one I set as my wallpaper—it’s honestly a stunning shot.
For Vallée de Mai, I was a little disappointed last time, considering the price. I think it’s way too expensive. Maybe it’s included in your cruise, but I had to pay extra.
I was expecting more, to be honest. You do see the coco-de-mer and it’s a really beautiful park, but it’s not worth that price.
Anse Lazio is really beautiful and pleasant—I totally agree with you.
I had no idea about the entry price for visiting Vallée de Mai. For us, it was included in the cruise. I just looked it up online, and I was shocked by the price: 42 € per person. It’s completely overpriced 🏴☠️. I fully agree with you—it’s not worth it.
There’s nothing exotic about the visit, as Jérôme said 😉. It’s just a short walk on a marked path between huge palm trees.
We saw Anse Lazio under a gray sky... it was really disappointing 😕
Same for Anse Source d'Argent on La Digue (though a ray of sunshine breaking through the dark clouds let us take some nice photos 🙂).
As a result, I found Anse Patate (La Digue), seen under a completely blue sky, much prettier.
Regarding the entrance fee for Vallée de Mai, we thought it was so overpriced that we did a little hike nearby instead (with a nice viewpoint at the top, but no "coco fesses" along the way itself).
Si tu diffères de moi, mon frère, loin de me léser, tu m'enrichis (Saint Exupéry)
Those postcard-perfect landscapes lose all their charm as soon as the sun disappears.
We once crossed the entire South Pacific from Sydney to Bora Bora in the rain a long time ago—my memory of it is a black-and-white trip, really disappointing. 😕
It’s definitely the best solution to find a hike close to the park, just like you did. Inside the park, you only see the coco de mer nuts hanging at the top of the palm trees, meaning from very far away. 😏 If I’d had to pay, I wouldn’t have gone either.
The excursion planned for our group is only this afternoon.
We take the first tender possible this morning to explore La Digue on our own.
It’s Sunday, so everything is closed. We decide to follow the path heading north. There’s hardly any traffic—only 55 vehicles are allowed on the island—but there are no more ox carts except for decoration.
Bars and restaurants line the road facing the beach, but at this early hour, everything is very quiet, which suits us perfectly.
The small cemetery is very colorful and full of flowers.
We continue carefully.
Very few people are enjoying the beach—just a few families with young children are settled on the sand.
The walk is peaceful and pleasant. Even though the tide is low, the scenery is lovely. The colors are vibrant. We walk to Anse Sévère.
A rooster crows loudly.
A turtle rests.
Everything is calm and peaceful this morning.
Back toward the village center, the atmosphere is much less peaceful—bikes and scooters zip around, and pedestrians have to step aside, sometimes even into the middle of the road... Always such strange traffic rules here!
It’s scorching hot, so we decide to cut this not-so-pleasant walk short and head back to the ship with the 10:30 a.m. tender. We take the time to enjoy the calm onboard and relax by the pool.
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Hello,
We’re back from this cruise.
Boarding in Dunkirk: The doors opened around 12 PM. Since we were a bit early, I asked if my husband, who uses a walker, could wait inside instead of outside. I left him with the two suitcases and our two backpacks in the small hall while I parked the car in the reserved CFC parking lot for 10 € per day.
The shuttle that was supposed to take people from the parking lot to the model pavilion was supposed to arrive in 5 minutes, but after 15 minutes, nothing. After waiting 15 minutes, I saw a man walking and asked if I could follow him. In 15 minutes, we arrived, and still no sign of the shuttle—it must have passed us. Arrived at the model pavilion.
My husband had already checked in the suitcases with the help of a CFC staff member. The remaining formalities were completed quickly. We were on board by 12:15 PM. Headed to the buffet on deck 11 and waited in a lounge to access our cabin.
At 2 PM, we discovered our balcony cabin on deck 9 at the rear: spacious with a large balcony compared to MSC/COSTA.
Since we were at the rear, cabin 9202, there was always an issue with elevator number 4: "priority."
Elevator number 2 stops at deck 10... and elevator number 3 was often out of order, leaving only number 1 for those with mobility issues to reach the buffet, especially for people who struggle with stairs. Note: only one child on board and lots of "gray hair."
DAY 2: At sea. Lots of activities offered.
Day 3: GOTHENBURG (Sweden). Sunny, 19°C at 11 AM.
Excursion booked with CFC: Gothenburg and Haga for all.
Interesting visit with a great guide. The HAGA district, in our opinion, is full of cobblestones and nothing special, not suitable for people using a cane or wheelchair. Elevator number 3 was out of order again.
Day 4: Copenhagen. 15°C in the morning, showers in the afternoon.
We didn’t book an excursion since we’d already stopped here with CFC in 2025, and based on advice from this forum, we took the hop-on/hop-off bus right in front of the ship. I still went to see the Little Mermaid again.
No TV, but the elevator was fixed.
DAY 5: At sea. Still no TV.
DAY 6: GDANSK (Poland). 15°C, rain all day.
There’s a shuttle to get to the city center.
We took the excursion: Panorama of Gdansk.
The guide left us at the entrance of the city center for 45 minutes, telling us what to visit. Meet-up for the rest of the tour at 3 PM. The bus left at 3:15 PM to cover 10 km to see St. Mary’s Cathedral. We arrived at 4:16 PM... The guide said there are often traffic jams in that direction. We had 10 minutes on site before heading to see the lighthouse and the Westerplatte monument, where we also had 10 minutes.
Many of us wondered why we didn’t do the tour in the opposite direction since they knew there would be traffic...
I went to reception to complain about the organization. The staff member read me the program: we were supposed to start with the lighthouse, then go to the cathedral and stay for 30 minutes before heading to the center of Gdansk for a short guided walk with some free time to buy souvenirs, etc.
The guide did the complete opposite of what was planned and didn’t even give us a guided tour—just dropped us off in the city...
DAY 7: Bornholm Island (Denmark). 14°C, a few sunny spells.
We saw in the excursions that there was a walking tour of RØNNE. So, like many others, we explored on our own. There was a small orchestra welcoming us at the port and two people with city maps. We took the shuttle to leave the port—it ran every 15 minutes. The tourist office was next to the "shuttle bus." A pleasant visit at our own pace.
DAY 8: KIEL (Germany). 18–23°C, nice weather.
We took the "Kiel for all" excursion. Great guide and interesting visits.
The port is in the city, and in 10 minutes, we were in the city center by following a blue line on the ground from the port. Elevator 3 was stuck again... and the TV was back.
DAY 9: At sea. Elevator 3 works.
DAY 10: At sea. Elevator 3 is out of order again...
DAY 11: Disembarkation in Dunkirk.
Cabins had to be vacated by 7:30 AM. Buffet open until 9 AM.
Elevator number 1 was "reserved," leaving only number 2, which doesn’t go up to deck 11... a problem for people with mobility issues who had to cross the entire deck 11 and try to use one of the four working elevators at the front, which were crowded.
My opinion: Interesting stops.
The onboard staff were always welcoming, smiling, and mostly French-speaking.
Evening shows were better than in March/April 2025—better singers, dancers, and presenters, and the costumes were improved.
I liked the "magician" shows less.
There were three onboard lectures by a very cultured person, but they went off-topic and were too historical for my taste. I didn’t attend the other two; my husband went to the second but not the third.
For this cruise, there was a bridge theme, but we’re not players or interested.
We didn’t take a drink package on board—water, coffee, tea, and herbal teas were available.
We had a water leak in our cabin the night before disembarkation. We reported it, and after the technical staff came (with a translator who didn’t speak English), we were asked to leave the cabin for a while for repairs. We went to a lounge, and after 1.5 hours, I checked in at reception. The repair took longer than expected... we had to change cabins... not ideal the night before disembarkation. No balcony cabins were available, so we got an ocean-view cabin, 6075, with a bathtub (impossible for both of us to use). We packed our suitcases, took a shower in our cabin, and moved to the new one. Noise from chairs until 12:30 AM because the cabin was under a lounge, and constant ventilation noise in the hallway... sleep was hard to come by.
Disembarkation: Well organized. We were helped with transporting the two suitcases and bags to the waiting room while I took the shuttle to get the car.
Guylène
Hi there,
Here’s the 2027 cruise schedule.
It’s a great way to get ideas and maybe even meet up with other members!
2 essential rules:
1) Never "quote" the schedule when replying—this avoids any confusion.
2) Follow this format:
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry about that. IMPORTANT Please respect the templates!
PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE HAVING TROUBLE
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF 2027 CRUISES: 1
JANUARY
14/01 - poupou10 / AZAMARA JOURNEY / 74 days / South America Tour / Miami
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Hello!
After a lot of hesitation between different cruise lines (Explora, Oceania, YC, HAL, NCL) and several destinations like Norway, Ireland, and Iceland,
I finally chose NCL’s Star for Iceland.
I had already looked at this itinerary when I went to Scotland in April with CFC, but it was really expensive.
You should know that CFC often offers last-minute deals 45 days before departure (the point when you can no longer cancel or modify).
So, I got a great opportunity and grabbed it.
Departure is on August 23rd.
hi there
Here’s the cruise schedule for 2026.
It’s a great way to get ideas and maybe even meet up with other members.
2 essential rules:
1) never "quote" the calendar when replying—this’ll avoid any confusion
2) follow the format below
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry!PLEASE respect the templates!
COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF CRUISES 2026:
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
We’re taking an MSC cruise in May, and after the Cinque Terre, we’ll be stopping in Naples. We’d like to know if it’s possible to walk out of the port quickly and reach a nice area of Naples on foot (we’re two older people). While we’re at it, I’ll ask the same question for Palermo, since we’ll be there the next day. Thanks for your replies.
Hi everyone,
I’m staying in a suite on the Pacifica in October and I can’t find any details about the suite benefits beyond the elite restaurant, the butler, and the espresso machine.
What about breakfast and meals served free in the cabin, and the spa?
Costa’s been cutting back on perks for Gold members, and it seems like suites are next.
Thanks for your replies!
hi,
I’m leaving Hamburg for Iceland at the end of July. The boat arrives in Reykjavik on Tuesday, August 4th at 8 AM, and I’d like to book a day trip like the Golden Circle or Secret Lagoon… The sites like GetYourGuide and others list departures at 8 AM. If you’ve used these sites with the MSC Preziosa, could you let me know how to go about it?
Thanks! 😉
allyMB007
Hello everyone,
It’s with immense sadness that I learned this morning of the passing of our friend Nathalie (nadu). Many of us knew her through this forum, which she loved so much. She enjoyed reading your travel stories, joining discussions, sharing her cruise reviews, and offering valuable advice—always with kindness, gentleness, and discretion.
For me, Nathalie was so much more than just a cruise enthusiast. She was a friend, a deeply kind person who was always there to listen, despite the many health challenges she faced with tremendous courage. We corresponded regularly, and sometimes we had the chance to visit each other’s homes or attend the cruise show together with our respective husbands.
We shared a common dream: when we both retired, we had planned to finally go on a cruise together. Life had other plans, and that trip will forever remain a journey we never had the chance to take. That thought weighs heavily on my heart today.
I’ll remember her as a gentle, generous woman who was always ready to help others. Her presence on this forum will leave a huge void, just as her friendship has in my life.
I send my sincerest thoughts to her husband, her family, and all those who had the chance to know her.
Fair winds, Nathalie. I like to think you’re now sailing on an infinitely calm sea, under an eternally blue sky. You’ll remain in our thoughts and hearts every time we talk about cruises or set off on a new journey.
Rest in peace, Nathalie.
For those who’d like to send a message of comfort and sympathy to her husband, you can send me a PM, and I’ll pass it along.
THANK YOU
Hello everyone,
So happy to be back on this Forum!
We’re heading off on another cruise—our 7th—after a 5-year break...
We’ll be leaving from Venice on April 26th with stops in Kotor, Mykonos, Santorini, and Ancona.
Could you help me plan the stops by sharing tips, tricks, and advice?
For those who already know me, you know we prefer not to take the cruise line’s excursions but instead organize everything ourselves.
Thanks in advance to everyone, and looking forward to chatting with you all!
Hello,
We’re taking a cruise to Northern Europe with a stop in SOUTHAMPTON.
We’d like to visit the Stonehenge site.
Is it possible to get there on our own (my husband is a wheelchair user), since the MSC excursion to Salisbury is priced at 127 € per person?
There’s also a stop in Rotterdam, and it seems there’s a "miniature village to visit" nearby. Has anyone here been there, and if so, how did you get there?
Thanks so much for your tips. Mum49
If you're traveling on the Costa Diadema from October 17th to 28th, 2026 to Lisbon, we can meet up for a drink. Share our cruising experiences, an excursion, a table...
hi there, a group of friends and I are going on a cruise at the end of June with CFC in Norway. I’d love to get some info on the different stops we’ll be making. Most of them are one-day stops (from around 10 AM to 8 PM on average). Here are the stops: Andalsnes, Trondheim, Honningsvåg, Alta, Hellesylt, Sandane, Austefjorden.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can share what there is to see or do in these places.
When I get back, I’ll post what we did—it might help others who come after us.
Also, does anyone know if the boat sticks to the arrival time in Dunkirk for catching tickets to head back south? We’ll plan a buffer just in case.
Hi there, The day before boarding the Costa Favolosa for the Norwegian Fjords cruise departing from Hamburg, I'd like to book a hotel. Which one would be the most convenient location-wise relative to the port?
Thanks in advance for your reply.
Hello,
We’ll be sailing on the Renaissance with CFC to southern Norway from July 4 to 11, 2026, departing from Dunkirk (the cruise was booked through "Planète Croisière").
When entering some personal details or pre-selecting options on the CFC website, I’m wondering about the "optional" categories for drinks and WiFi.
I’m actually a bit surprised by these extra charges, as we weren’t used to them on other cruises (Australis in Patagonia; Hurtigruten’s Coastal Express in Norway and Alaska; Rivages du Monde in the Arctic or on the Douro River; a Nile river cruise in Egypt), where we sometimes had access to basic drinks at meals and free WiFi when near land.
Anyway, for those who’ve already taken a CFC cruise on the Renaissance, could you share some advice? Specifically about the most basic drink package, called "Fraîcheur" (238 € for two), which doesn’t seem to be described anywhere. The "Premium" package seems excessive (490 € for two for the week) for light drinkers.
As for WiFi, it’s 10 € per day per person. While I find that price acceptable for parking our car in Dunkirk, it feels overpriced here (especially since it was free on the Nordlys "Coastal Express" just 3 or 4 years ago).
So, I’d love to hear from experienced cruisers who’ve been on this ship!
Looking forward to seeing the excursion prices, which should be available soon! 😐
Hi there,
I’m considering a cruise on this ship in the recently introduced Yacht Club category.
Have any forum members tried it?
What are your thoughts? Positive or negative? Which cabins should we go for—or avoid?
We’re already familiar with the Yacht Clubs on the Splendida, Fantasia, Preziosa, and Divina series.
We weren’t as keen on the one on the Seashore—we found it too big.
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Best,
Claudine
We're considering a new cruise soon and would like to try the Renaissance.
The uniqueness of the promenade cabins appeals to us, but could anyone give us some insights on the following points:
- Is the glass door sufficiently tinted to prevent outsiders from seeing into the cabin?
- Is the soundproofing good enough to block out conversations on the promenade deck?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!
My husband, our two teens, and I are going on a cruise on the COSTA Esmeralda at the beginning of July. We’re thinking of exploring the ports on our own. Do any of you have recent experiences or tips to share? Are there shuttles between the port and the city center? Are they free? Looking forward to hearing from you.
As promised, here’s my review of the cruise I took from the 5th to the 19th on the MSC Virtuosa.
As you know, I had initially booked a cruise with Mein Schiff departing from Dubai (from Dubai to Cape Town). It was a 22-day cruise. Due to the issues in the Persian Gulf, my cruise was canceled by Mein Schiff.
So, we started looking for a Plan B because we really wanted to go. Especially my wife, who had just had a minor procedure and needed some rest. Since she had already taken time off, she was determined to travel. However, we were looking for an affordable Plan B since we weren’t sure when Mein Schiff or the airline would reimburse us.
While browsing online, I found a 15-day cruise departing from Pointe-à-Pitre (including flights, transfers, the cruise, and drinks) for a price of 1,200 € in a Fantastica balcony cabin. We thought, *Why not?*
I should mention that I’m not usually a big fan of MSC. My last experience with them was post-Covid (I took two cruises, one in 2021 and another in 2022), and it was honestly a disaster. We didn’t want to repeat that, but after talking to Catherine, who told me she was very happy with a short Christmas cruise, we decided to give it a try.
I have to say, I was left speechless. Honestly, the cruise was absolutely perfect. There’s nothing to complain about (or just a few minor details). In terms of service and food, I felt like I was on a premium cruise line. I’d even say MSC has nothing to envy from some of those companies. While premium lines like Holland, Celebrity, and Royal are cutting back on services, I think MSC has made huge improvements. Seriously, I wasn’t expecting this at all. You’ll see what I mean as we chat more.
I won’t do a full review like I usually do because there weren’t many stops:
1. We boarded in Pointe-à-Pitre
2. We stopped in Saint-Martin
3. Then it was a direct crossing to the Azores...
This cruise was really about relaxing, even if it’s not the kind of trip we usually take.
First off, I’m not a big fan of "flight and cruise" packages. I asked if we could leave two days early, but they said it wasn’t possible. We had to take the flight, then the bus, and board the ship directly.
It’s not really my thing, but given the price we paid and since we really wanted to relax, we thought, *Why not?*
Here’s the itinerary:
Boarding in Pointe-à-Pitre
Saint-Martin
Five days at sea
The Azores
Four days at sea
Hamburg
One day at sea
Le Havre
But as I mentioned, it wasn’t about the itinerary. It was really about taking a break and unwinding. Honestly, I came back thrilled.
We’re stopping over in Rovinj this coming May, and since we’ve already visited the main sights (port, church, etc.), is there a walk we can do on our own—no boat needed—that would fill a morning?
Thanks to anyone who knows the area…
My wife and I are going on a cruise on the MS Vesteralen on August 4th. The ship stays close to the coast to deliver mail and packages. My wife is a musician and is sensitive to the movement of the boat. Which deck and cabin should we choose?
Hi there,
So, I booked this cruise...
I know CFC gets a lot of criticism—
- And that it’s not really like the ships I usually take.
But the destination really interested me...
So, I’m giving it a try...
I’m going in with an open mind, thinking I got a good deal, so I’m not expecting the same experience as when I travel with Yacht Club or The Haven.
We’ll see... soon!
hi, we’re going on a cruise with MSC Virtuosa in the Caribbean. Has anyone done this cruise before and could give us some tips for excursions on the different islands? Thanks for your help
😉Hi there,
A few months ago, CFC put the EN VOGUE experience on sale, departing from Dunkirk.
I booked this package to test the boat and onboard services for myself.
I’d read a lot of reviews mentioning numerous issues on board, so I wanted to see for myself what it was really like…
Okay, I’ll stop rambling…
The package included boarding at 6 PM on Friday, dinner, a show, an overnight stay, and breakfast.
We chose an interior cabin for this experience—since the boat wasn’t leaving the dock, we didn’t see the point in paying more… All in all, it cost 130 € per person.
My mom joined us; she got the same cabin for 130 € with no single occupancy supplement.
We’d checked in online to board faster.
We took the train to DUNKIRK, then a taxi to the shuttle pavilion—7 € for the ride.
When we arrived at the pavilion, we were told to wait because there was a connection issue with check-in. Great start…
After about ten minutes, we were finally allowed to proceed.
At the counter, they said they didn’t have our cabin cards and no record of our check-in… Very odd.
With no solution, they put us on the bus and said we’d sort it out at reception. Perfect.
We went through security, and they confiscated our water bottles—never seen that before! Then they said my mom had a corkscrew in her bag, so they searched it… but there was no corkscrew. Total amateur hour… They eventually dropped it.
We got on the bus for a ten-minute ride…
We boarded the ship with a crew member and headed to reception.
Turns out, we weren’t the only ones in this situation.
The nightmare began… Only two staff members were handling all the issues, and everything seemed complicated.
They told my mom her cabin had been given to someone else 😲.
That was the last straw…
It took forever—they had to redo the entire check-in.
Finally, they told my mom her cabin was good to go; they’d mixed her up with someone else… After a solid half-hour, we could finally head to our cabin.
I’m determined to test everything: the pool, jacuzzi, show, restaurant, spa, etc…
TO BE CONTINUED
This lizard, often quite plump, is the Seychelles’ scavenger. It cleans up everything left behind, and we’re grateful it helps limit the number of mosquitoes.
Hi there,
I'm looking at a cruise in the north.
Hi there,
So, I booked this cruise...
I know CFC gets a lot of criticism—
- And that it’s not really like the ships I usually take.
But the destination really interested me...
So, I’m giving it a try...
I’m going in with an open mind, thinking I got a good deal, so I’m not expecting the same experience as when I travel with Yacht Club or The Haven.
We’ll see... soon!